Tuesday, August 11, 2009

I honestly haven't watched an episode of E:60 in over a year, but this might get me to actually tune in. Michael Smith will be interviewing Donte Stallworth, on the heels of his recent jailing, as a part of tonight's airing of the news show on ESPN....

Suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth, in an exclusive E:60 interview, will talk in detail with correspondent Michael Smith on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. ET, about the early morning hours of March 14, when Stallworth killed a man while driving under the influence in Miami.

A plea deal was reached in June, and Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail for DUI manslaughter. After serving 24 days of his sentence, Stallworth was released and is under an indefinite suspension from the NFL after meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Aug. 5. It is not known when Goodell will rule on Stallworth’s request to return to the NFL.

Critics have expressed outrage that Stallworth is just another example of a rich athlete buying his way out of hard time. E:60 will air the complete interview with Smith on Tuesday. Stallworth talks for the first time about the morning he killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes, lessons learned while in jail and how he hopes to make a positive impact in the future, on and off the football field.

Outside of Mike Vick, there hasn't been a case that has stirred up more controversy than this one, and it will be interesting to see the angle ESPN takes. Do they go the easy route, or do they go straight to Stallworth and ask him if a man's life is worth 30 days in jail? Tune in tonight at 7pm to find out.